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NASHVILLE — Scotty McCreery spent last week cutting tracks for his next album in between CMA Music Festival commitments. On Sunday afternoon, he fed 600 fans Bojangles chicken before performing an eight-song acoustic set for them at Rocketown, an all-ages club. Two of those songs came from the upcoming project: Current single See You Tonight and Suntan.

"I want to apologize to all of you who have come to a show and been bopped on the head by a beach ball," the 2011 American Idol winner said as he introduced Suntan, which has been part of his recent sets. "We always try to kick them as far as we can, but they always wind up right back here" on stage.

McCreery told the audience he had cut 18 songs for the next album. "We've over-cut, which is so nice," he says. He's in the studio with producer Frank Rogers, known for his work with Brad Paisley, Darius Rucker and one of McCreery's inspirations, Josh Turner. One of the songs recorded during the past week will be a duet: "We''re 90 percent sure that we've got a bit-time singer that's going to come on this track with me," he said. He'll also include a faith-based song on the album, he said during a question-and-answer session, though he hasn't settled on the song yet. "We're still trying to decided on that one."

McCreery will return to the studio Monday. The still-untitled album is due for release in October.

McCreery also encouraged his fans to sponsor children through humanitarian organization World Vision: Those who signed up Sunday will receive a free copy of McCreery's CD when it comes out in October, as well as a certificate to attend a free pre-show meet 'n' greet with the singer at the show of their choice.